Screening of cowpea germplasm for field tolerance against biotic and abiotic stresses

Abstract

The experimental materials comprising 1100 germplasm accessions of indigenous and exotic origin were systematically evaluated during 1996-2003 at the Division of Genetics, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. The exotic materials were received primarily from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Kano Station, Nigeria. These materials were also grown in phased manner at hot spots and screened against diseases such as web blight, Cercospora leaf spot at H.P.K.V.V., Regional Station, Dhaula Kuan, H.P., powdery mildew, YMV at IARI Regional Station, Dharwad and YMV at GBPUAandT, Pantnagar. Each entry was grown in a single now plot of 2.5 m length following augmented plot design. Two checks viz., C 152 and V 240 were repeated after every 20th entry. The row to row distance was maintained at one meter while distance between the plants within the row was kept at 10-15 cm. Most of the lines were also evaluated during summer (April to June) 2003-05 at IARI, New Delhi for their response to high temperature. However, the varieties Pusa Komal and V 130 were used as checks in these experiments. The average survival under field conditions was considered as criteria for high temperature tolerance. The observations on various yield contributing traits including yield per plant and disease reaction were recorded and analyzed as per standard procedures.